Amid the releases from the usual big brands at Baselworld 2017, Sinn introduced a new piece, the Sinn 240 St Gz watch, which has the ability to track tides with the help of an internal rotating bezel. Though the twin-crown, barrel-shaped 240 models have been around for some time, this is the first variation to incorporate such an internal scale. It also retains many of the same Sinn technologies we appreciate while adding a dash of color on the dial side that isn’t usually seen in many of Sinn’s watches.
Looking at Sinn, it’s easy to get lost in their collections of hardcore divers like the Sinn U212 EZM 16 Diver’s Watch or chronographs like the 910 Anniversary Limited Edition Split Second Chronograph announced at Baselworld 2016. The 240 series, however, occupies a quieter corner in their catalog and it’s satisfying to see the watch get a bit of a refresh in terms of both looks and functionality. Furthermore, appointments like the D3 system, which Sinn uses to secure crowns and pushers by mounting them directly into case openings, means that this watch is just as rugged and sport-ready as any other model in their collection.
The case of the Sinn 240 St Gz watch is just 11mm thick and measures 43mm in diameter. It’s completely bead-blasted, DIN 8310 water-resistant to 100 meters, and features a distinctive set of dual crowns to operate both the time setting and tide tracking features. Looking at it from its side, it’s also nice to see a variety of angular transitions moving from the top to the bottom of the barrel-shaped case. In addition, Sinn fitted the watch with a dual AR-coated sapphire crystal and the whole package without a strap or bracelet weighs in at around 85 grams.
The watch’s most interesting feature, however, is the internal tide-tracking bezel. With the help of a local tide table, Sinn specifies that the bezel can help you determine relative water level of a location after figuring the time of the last high tide and aligning that point with the “HW 1” mark. Expected water levels for any given time up until the time of the next high tide can then be read off of the “HW 2” position. While I can’t remember the last time I saw this kind of internal scale, it can most likely prove itself as a nifty feature if you’re a Sinn geek spending extended periods at sea.
Something I feel this watch does well is provide a cool looking retro style watch that doesn’t necessarily try to reboot a racing-inspired watch. The cushion style case shape and unique internal bezel still make for a sporty watch that can be an everyday wearer that still stands out from the army of vintage and retro style pieces. It’s very Sinn and in the crowded sub-$2,000 sports watch market, those looking for something a little different that isn’t designed to get attention by any gimmicks would be well served to check out this German watch.
The Sinn 240 St Gz’s dial retains much of the familiar German military-style vibe Sinn is known for but with both deep and lighter shades of blue throughout the dial and internal bezel. It’s still a functional, low-key look and one that’s enhanced by basic rectangular indexes, large hands, and a well-accented day-date display at 3 o’clock. Additionally, there are luminous applications for both the handset and tide-tracking bezel. I find that the burst of color suits the 204 and the deep orange seconds hand offset by its matte black counterweight really completes the look while staying true to Sinn’s visuals.
Inside, the Sellita SW 220-1 hums away as it does in a few of Sinn’s other offerings. It operates at 28,800vph and is tested for both shock resistance and anti-magnetism per DIN 8308 and DIN 8309 standards. Ultimately, it’s as reliable as it is ubiquitous, but we went even deeper about it back when we aimed to make sense of the Sellita SW200 movement.
Overall, the Sinn 240 St Gz proves itself a welcome addition to the Sinn family. Tapping into the 240 to introduce the tide-tracking bezel was tasteful in my book and even though it’s a feature that might go relatively unused, I like the execution along with the variety it brings among the usual dive and dual-time bezels. The Sinn 240 St Gz comes with a choice of black or brown tone stitched leather straps or a stainless steel bracelet. On the bracelet, it retails for $1,830, and on leather it carries a price of $1,660. sinn.de
